The Antwerp Facets News Service (AFNS) states that the Botswana government is keen on implementing ‘benefication’ at its diamond mines which means supplying domestically produced rough diamonds to the local diamond cutting industry.

Ponatshego Kedikilwe, Botswana’s minister of minerals, energy and water affairs, spoke at the 13th International Mining Investment Conference (INDABA 2008) in Cape Town, South Africa, saying that the Diamond Trading Company Botswana, should sell $360 million worth of roughs to the 16 licensed polishing companies which will create 3,000 jobs during the year.

According to analyst Chaim Even-Zohar of Tacy Ltd., Botswana would not be able to absorb the hihg costs of polishing diamonds locally which amounts to around $100 per carat, in comparison with the $20 per carat outlay incurred if diamonds are polished at centres in India and China.